We are having a New Moon in Leo on August 8th throughout the world and in the early hours of August 9th in New Zealand. This is initiating a 29.5 day lunar cycle and new wave of energy for the coming month; however, the astrological configurations mentioned throughout this article will be more prominent over the following two weeks. This Lunar Cycle peaks with a second Full Moon in Aquarius on August 22nd.

We have been in Leo season since July 22nd/23rd,  however, this New Moon will activate its energies even more so for the remainder of it following the next Full Moon. As a Fire sign, Leo is associated with passion, instinct, inspiration, assertiveness, courage, confidence, and spirit.

Ruled by the Sun, Leo is about heart-centeredness, shining authentically, creativity, affection, generosity, and influence. It is the performer, the leader and the creator, as it seeks to find joy in expressing itself in those ways. Leo is a vital sign and also rules children, fun, and romance. Expressed negatively, this energy can also be egotistical, conceited, dramatic, overbearing, and demanding of attention or respect.

New Moon Applying Conjunction to Mercury and Opposition to Jupiter

This New Moon is separating from hard aspects with Uranus and Saturn which were configured into the previous Full Moon and triggered more so from late July until August 7th. We are coming into this Lunar cycle following a period of potential delays, disruptions, surprises, obstacles, separations, instability, limitations, restrictions, changes in plans, or breaking away from something.

As we enter this new Lunar cycle, the energy is generally more forward moving with less complications in comparison to these previous weeks. Since August 1st/2nd, Mercury has gradually begun to move ahead of the Sun which now puts us in a better place mentally and perceptively to see things more clearly to help us make better decisions.

The Moon’s first aspect following the exact New Moon will be a conjunction with Mercury (also in Leo) indicating an upcoming few weeks that are more lively, active, and communicative. For many people this can also reflect a lot of commuting or moving around. Our thoughts and feelings can also be more in sync with each other at this time.

Both the New Moon and Mercury are in an opposition with Jupiter in Aquarius. This can feel expansive and we may want to think big. This energy can be good for making plans, going on trips, or engaging in things that are educational, philosophical, or idealistic.

However, this Jupiterian energy in the mix can also play out as overextending ourselves and excessiveness. Although we are in a period of better clarity (as mentioned above), this aspect can reflect a period in which we can be scattered or overlook details and blindspots more easily. Conflicts around beliefs and opinions are more susceptible under these planetary configurations. This energy will come up strongest in the three days following this New Moon and then again around August 18th-20th when the Sun opposes Jupiter.

Venus Opposite Neptune and Trine Pluto

Venus has been in Virgo over the last few weeks. This is a time in which matters associated with this planet such as friendships, love, pleasure, aesthetics, beauty, art, values, or finances may be expressed or faced with the need to be more discerning, attentive to details, practical, health conscious, organized, clean, efficient, or productive.

During this New Moon, Venus is moving towards an opposition with Neptune in Pisces which has been building up over these recent weeks and will peak on August 9th/10th. We may have to contend with elusiveness, flaky behavior, deceit, unreliability, delusion, escapism, or lack of discrimination in the Venus ruled areas or expressions mentioned in the above paragraph.

Our relations with others at this time can also be more compassionate, spiritual, and selfless. However, we need to be cautious of self-deceit or unwarranted self-sacrifice. Following this aspect, Venus then moves towards a trine with Pluto in Capricorn on August 11th/12th. This energy is much better for Venus areas as developments at this time can be empowering, meaningful, deep, regenerating, or perhaps fortunate in some way.

Mars and Mercury Square Lunar Nodes

Mars has been moving towards a square with the Lunar Nodes since entering Virgo on July 29th/30th and peaks on August 10th-12th. When it comes to how we assert our will, drive, physical energy, anger, competitiveness, or in some cases sexuality, we may be at a crossroads or feel torn between the past and the future. .

At that time, Mercury will be entering Virgo and will be moving towards its own square with the Lunar Nodes which will peak days later on August 15th/16th. This will have similar themes but will pertain to more Mercury related expressions or areas of life such as communications, commuting/vehicles, communication technology, thought process, mental focus, siblings/cousins, close friends, or neighbours.

This can be a time of reflecting on what is holding us back from moving forward, asserting ourselves in new ways, or experiences that can be more fulfilling for our growth. Both of these planets are in Virgo, so therefore discernment, attentiveness, productivity, details, practicality, health, organization, or efficiency may be what is needed at this time.

Mars Quincunx Saturn, Mercury Conjunct Mars, Uranus Going Retrograde

Mars will be in a quincunx with Saturn from August 13th-14th, and may also be felt in the days prior. Although the first few weeks of this lunar cycle should flow better than the previous weeks, during this short window our actions may be faced with hindrances that require adjustments. Any limitations, restrictions, boundaries, or obstacles that we face will need extra effort to adapt to.

Mercury will catch up to Mars as they will be in a conjunction in Virgo on August 18th/19th. Our minds can be very active, productive, and quick at this time. We may feel like we need to move around or walk/drive fast, but we need to be careful to not be too aggressive in our commuting. Our communications with others can be very lively but there is also a higher chance of arguments, verbal attacks, or getting annoyed with others. The Sun’s opposition with Jupiter will also be getting close at that time (as mentioned earlier) which can reflect scatteredness or conflicts around beliefs/opinions in the mix with the energies of the Mercury-Mars conjunction.

Uranus is currently slowing down to go retrograde on August 19th/20th. During the weeks before and after a planet is transitioning from one direction to another, its energies become more noticeable. Uranus is associated with surprises, sudden changes, liberation, rebellion, science, technology, innovation, metaphysics, experimentation, accidents, upheaval, sudden disasters, or things breaking.

As it changes motion on the 19th/20th, it will be in a trine with Mercury. This can play out as stimulating or insightful conversations, information, or thoughts. We can be more inventive, original, or have innovative ideas. In some cases surprising developments can occur which can be beneficial. This can also be good for trying something new or actions that involve technology, science, or metaphysics.

Making Intentions and Things To Consider

What has come up for you over the previous week and what have you gotten more clarity on? What do you think the spiritual reason is for the recent hindrances, obstacles, or disruptions that have occurred? Is there anything that has become more obvious for you in recent days? What can you do to bring more joy and playfulness into your life? What practices, activities, or relations can help you to be more in your heart? Do you have any creative needs yearning to be expressed? What can you do to be more inspired?

These are just some examples of what to consider or focus your intentions on at this time. However, it is good to reflect on anything else that is coming up for you. It is generally best to make any intentions within the first 24 hours following a New Moon. The exact moment it will occur is 1:51pm Universal Time on August 8th. You can click here to see what that is in your time zone.

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Mental health challenges, depression and even physical illness, are all on the rise. All three are believed by emerging research to be linked to trauma.

Thankfully, nervous system health and trauma are becoming a big part of what people talk about as it seems people are looking to get to the root of these issues more now than ever before.

After coming to my own realization that I was traumatized from experiences I had, I began studying trauma to not only help myself but to see how I could further improve my own media work – which has been, in essence, trauma-informed, since 2009.

What I’ve come to feel is that trauma affects almost all of us in some way, while there is not much data to back that up, I truly believe this to be the case. Learning useful skills to work through that trauma is becoming important in order to take our health into our own hands.

In the video below, I talk a bit about how events going on in the world can make us feel anxious and worried, and how that affects our bodies, minds, and health. I also share a simple yet powerful technique for sensory grounding.

When’s the last time you had a good hug? Can you even recall a time when one lasted longer than 10 or 15 seconds? Hugging releases oxytocin, a bonding hormone, as well as serotonin and endorphins. These hormones are a big part of what makes us feel good and build a sense of community and connection with others.

When we hug our friends or family, or even spend a good few hours with them, we often don’t know what exactly the mechanism is that makes us feel good, but often times it’s touch, eye contact and reading facial expressions.

Throughout COVID, once we got a sense of what it feels like to not have as much touch, see smiles, see our friends or family, we might have gained a greater awareness of how important this really is. Intense isolation, like we’ve all experienced, leads to touch deprivation, and one could argue, has led to collective traumatization throughout the course of this pandemic.

Humans biologically need touch, it’s built right into our physiology. When we are babies, touch is a crucial part of our ability to regulate our nervous systems and feel safe. When we’re very young, our bodies have not yet built the ability to self-regulate (feel safety and comfort), and thus our caregivers play the important role of not only touching to bring regulation and safety, but also using facial expressions to send the message that ‘all is OK.’

Further, humans thrive in a sense of community and connection. When we are too isolated, without a deep and dedicated practice like monk’s might do in a cave in Tibet, we begin to lose the benefits of co-regulation, and in turn our psychology can begin to suffer over time. Humans have built incredible things – together – when in community, and touch plays an important role in that.

It most cultures around the world, hugging is part of daily life. Other cultures might decide to greet one another with cheek kissing instead, but touch is often a common denominator. But it’s true, there are places that may be ‘less touch-y’ and will certainly find other ways to connect.

One thing I can say though, especially during this unprecedented time of isolation, make it a point to hug those close to you when you can. Make it a good one, 15 or 20 seconds! Pay attention to how you feel after.

As mentioned, hugging is not the only way we get a sense of co-regulation and connection. Looking into one another’s eyes, sensing facial movements and reactions are also important. We have millions of mirror neurons in our brains that are constantly reading what is happening in another person, and sending information to areas of our brain, subconsciously, that tell us how a person might be feeling, for example. When we witness someone taking an action, neurons in our brains respond to that action in the same way as if we were taking that action ourselves – hence ‘mirror neurons.’

This might mean that when we watch a nervous moment in sports for example, although we are not playing, we might take actions like covering our mouths or holding our chest, feeling the nerves the players are likely feeling. As you can imagine, this is not a perfect science. Sometimes we are nervous but the player is cool as a cucumber, but generally, mirror neurons tend to help us connect to what others are feeling or doing, giving us a sense of empathy.

It goes even deeper. Research from Institute of HeartMath has shown that the human heart emits a measurable electromagnetic field that contains information other people can pick up on and decode in their brains. Regardless of how ‘new-agey’ this might sound to some minds, it’s a reality of our physical bodies.

Just think, have you ever walked into a room with multiple people in it and noticed the energy of it? Perhaps you noticed right away it was very tense or very jovial. This sense likely comes from having an awareness of how our electro magnetic field is interacting with the collective field of the room.

What you’re feeling is how someone’s general emotional state is affecting the field they emit. The more we feel tension, anxiety, or depression for example, the more we also put that signal out into our communities. Now, this isn’t a call to get stressed out about how we’re affecting others, this is simply a realization of what’s going on.

In our current chaotic world, it’s quite common to feel anxious or uncertain about what’s happening, and acknowledging that is OK is perfectly fine. The next question becomes: how can I manage my emotional state and create a a felt sense of calm? (Which of course will change the field you emit as well.)

Managing Our Emotions & Energy

One very simple option is written at the top of the article we post here on The Pulse. It’s a simple technique I adapted from my training at HeartMath, but I added in my own flair learned from my trauma specialist training as I felt a greater focus on interception, our awareness of sensations in our body, was important to be in the mix.

As go move through your day, stop, take a breath and release the tension in your body starting from your head all the way down to your feet. Take a few moments on each muscle group if you like. Place attention on your physical heart and breathe slowly into the area for 60 seconds, focusing on feeling a sense of ease.

I wrote a much more in-depth article here, where I share more detailed steps and how this helps improve our overall energy levels as well.

Our bodies are filled with tools that sense anything from obvious to ‘unseen’ signals coming from others and our environment. These tools suggest we are beings of connection, and we thrive when we get enough of it. They also suggest it’s important to pay attention to more than just the material aspect of our world, as there is much that needs to be ‘taken care of’ in the ‘unseen.’ By that, I mean, as we manage our emotions and regulate our nervous system’s, our felt electro magnetic field communicates a different message to others out there.

What message are you sending?